Bedale

Bedale is on the eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales and close to the A1. Not far on the western side is the North York Moors so there are two National Parks right on its doorstep.
Bedale has a pleasant main street with a variety of local shops, its own museum, Ice House, Leech House and some interesting Georgian architecture. There is a local golf club and a wonderful arboretum at Thorp Perrow, only a few miles from the town. Bedale is a small Georgian market town that has easy access to the Yorkshire Dales via Leyburn and onwards through Wensleydale to Hawes. Some local history can be found in the town centre museum located within Bedale Hall. The museum depicts the life of and times of Bedale throughout the centuries with exhibits including the 1748 Bedale hand-drawn fire engine. The Leech House is a Grade II listed building owned by English Heritage and originally used by the local apothecary for the storage of leeches. The Leech House itself is only open to the public on heritage days, although visitors are welcome to use the garden.
Bedale market day is every Tuesday and there are lots of stalls selling local produce, arts and crafts. The main street has many shops with their original Georgian facades and there is usually plenty of parking (except on market day which can be rather busy!) There are bed and breakfasts and local pubs offering accommodation as well as self catering holiday cottages set in the beautiful Herriot countryside. A regular bus service operates to many of the surrounding villages and towns.